You worked very hard to obtain your nursing degree, and protecting your license is important to your livelihood and future.
That means that you need to have a clear understanding of what you need to report to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing – and when. Here are three times you absolutely have to make a report:
- When you receive a final order about disciplinary action taken against you in another state, you have a maximum 90 days to make your report to the PA authorities.
- You have a maximum 30 days to make a report if you are facing pending criminal charges for any reason to make your report.
- If you plead guilty to a crime, plead “no contest” or are convicted at a trial, you have a maximum of 30 days to report the disposition of your case to the PA board.
If you must make a biennial renewal application prior to the expiration of the time periods listed above, then you must make your report then.
Not reporting can be much worse than reporting
If you fail to make a report, you are simply compounding your problems. For example, you could eventually defeat a drunk driving charge and end up in more trouble with the Board for failing to report the charge in the first place. Trying to hide your situation is cause for disciplinary action in its own right.
Knowledge really is power, especially when you’re fighting for your career. If you’re facing trouble with your nursing license because of a pending criminal charge, a conviction, or a disciplinary issue in another state, you need to fully understand all of the possible defense options available to you.
Experienced legal guidance can help protect your right to due process, guide your communications with the Board’s disciplinary committee and advocate for alternatives to license suspensions or revocation, including things such as voluntary recovery programs or remedial education.